2024 Symposium Speakers

Marcelo has spent nearly 30 years working in the wine industry having held various senior level positions both within the wholesaler and supplier networks. He joined Jackson Family Wines in December of 2002 as a Regional Sales Manager overseeing the Pacific Northwest. Following a relocation to California, he was promoted to General Manager of Regal Wine Company in 2011, overseeing the entire direct distribution operation. In 2016, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of JFW Distribution taking a national role managing all self-distribution partnerships across the U.S.

In March 2021, Marcelo was elevated to Executive Vice President of Marketing while continuing to oversee the Direct-to-Consumer channel, which he had been managing since 2019. Jackson Family Wines operates 22 distinct winery tasting rooms across California and Oregon. Within the DTC channel, his goal is to provide visitors to the onsite locations, as well as the digital platforms, a world-class experience learning more about our portfolio of wines that are rooted in quality, authenticity, and an unparalleled commitment to the future. Within the Marketing segment, Marcelo oversees all marketing campaigns, new product launches, packaging enhancements and upgrades, new segment development, and innovations. This has included the Kendall-Jackson Grow True multi-media advertising campaign and the La Crema Mobile Tasting Room experience with stops at key events around the country where consumers can taste wines in the La Crema outdoor tasting room. Strategic partnerships include being the preferred wine sponsor of the Churchill Downs Racetrack for the past several years. This sponsorship has integrated promotional activations in both Sonoma County, CA and at the Kentucky Derby in Louisville. A national cross-promotion with Yeti coolers this summer increased the reach of Kendall-Jackson’s wines by introducing the brand to a new audience.

Marcelo also serves as the Executive Sponsor for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program at Jackson Family Wines. This area is important to him as he is a first-generation American. His family came to the United States from Buenos Aires, Argentina. He grew up in Seattle, Washington before moving to Northern California. Marcelo holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Washington.

Jackson Family Wines, California

Adolfo Alarcón had dreamed about making wine before graduating from college with a degree in chemical engineering. After visiting a small, old-fashioned winery in Mexico early in his college career, Adolfo knew that the wine industry was for him. “I was intrigued with applying things I was learning in chemical engineering to winemaking,” he says. To further understand wine and its history, Adolfo began to study the major languages of wine-producing countries. A native Spanish speaker, he became fluent in English, French, and Italian, and has acquired the basics of German, giving him an incredible understanding of wine history and the ability to go anywhere in the world to follow his passion.

He had to wait eight years to fulfill his dream. “I needed money”, Adolfo comments, “I had to go out in the real world and work for a while first before I could go back and study winemaking.” As a graduate of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional in Mexico, Adolfo first worked as a chemical engineer for Du Pont and later for IBM before he was able to go back to school to study winemaking. While working as an engineer, recognizing the need to be well-rounded in a competitive global work market, he completed a 3-year evening MBA program at the Universidad La Salle in Mexico, graduating in 1994. At that point, he decided to quit his job and leave his native Mexico to pursue a master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology at the University of California at Davis, which he completed in 1996. It was then that he was finally able to realize his true ambition as a winemaker.

Adolfo worked as a harvest intern at Grgich Hills in Napa Valley and Antinori in Italy. He has held winemaking roles at Stonestreet Winery and Murphy Vineyards in Alexander Valley; Franciscan Estates, Charles Krug, Acacia Vineyard, and Trinchero Family Estates in Napa Valley.

Friends and colleagues describe Adolfo as a “Renaissance Man”, somebody with a broad set of talents and interests who approaches problems and challenges using both his brain and his heart.

Since 1997, Adolfo belongs to Rebovar, a group of Napa Valley winemakers who gather monthly to blind taste and discuss red Bordeaux varietal wines (Cabernet, Merlot, and Bordeaux blends), mainly from Napa Valley and Bordeaux.

Adolfo is the seventh son in a family of nine. He and his wife Nancy have two boys, Rodrigo and Diego. He enjoys gatherings, playing the piano, the guitar, and singing. He likes cooking and enjoys food and wine pairing. He likes hiking and used to be a serious climber — he once made it to the top of Mount Aconcagua in Argentina (22,960 feet), the tallest summit outside the Himalayas, the tallest in the southern hemisphere, and also the tallest in the American continent.

Trinchero Family Estates, California

PJ has a B.S. in Wine and Viticulture from Cal Poly and a MBA from Sonoma State. After working for Jackson Family Wines in Santa Barbara County, PJ joined Duckhorn Wine Company in June of 2007, and has since worked across all aspects of Vineyard Management, Viticulture, and Grower Relations. In his current role, he directs all of Duckhorn’s Winegrowing efforts in the broader California regions and Washington State, with a primary focus on the industry-leading Decoy brand.

Duckhorn Wine Company, California

Laurent has been working for the French Selection Center for almost 30 years. Formerly named ENTAV and now IFV since 2007. In charge of the coordination of clonal selection and breeding programs in close partnership with INRAE and the French wine industries.

Laurent is also the Development manager of the trademark ENTAV INRA present since 1998 on the US territory dealing with licensed nurseries. He has quite a good experience of California, a wine region he has visited approximately 40 times.

Laurent will speak on hybridization: what’s going on in France? Regulation is currently evolving in France and Europe i) giving the possibility to grow hybrids in the appellations, ii) removing progressively fungicides from sales, iii) pushing the development of organic growing also called agroecology transition…

All of this can generate a huge change in the future. To move and adapt towards that direction, all main wine regions in France have decided to run specific programs named: Resistance and Typicality keeping in mind the new material will have to be as much as possible adapted to the Climate Change.

The presentation will be the opportunity to explain the strategy in terms of durability of resistance and maintenance of the quality of the final products.
ENTAV INRA has begun spreading the first PMDM resistant grapevine varieties in the USA. Some will be poured for tasting during the session.

ENTAV INRA, France

Lorez Bailey is the Publisher of the North Bay Business Journal, a prominent business-to-business publication and website covering the North Bay region, encompassing Sonoma, Marin, Napa, and Solano Counties. As part of the Sonoma Media Investments group, which includes the Press Democrat, she leads the charge in delivering insightful business news and analysis.

With a rich background in workforce development, Lorez has spearheaded various initiatives, from education and training programs to internships, focusing on enhancing workforce skills and qualifications. In 2019, during Women’s History Month, she received the “Woman of the Year” award from U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson for her dedicated work with students across Sonoma County and her impactful advocacy for positive changes in student support programs, preparing them for the demands of the 21st-century economy.

Lorez brings a wealth of experience from her media career, having contributed to outlets such as The Community Voice, Press Democrat, Fremont Argus, ANG Newspaper Group, Youth News, and Channel 50. She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and Telecommunications from Sacramento State University and a master’s degree in education with an Education Technology emphasis from Sonoma State University.

Previously, Lorez served as the Executive Director of Chop’s Teen Club, overseeing a state-of-the-art facility and acclaimed mentorship programs. Her leadership as the Director of College and Career Readiness at Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) involved enhancing college and career centers in Sonoma County high schools, managing work-based learning coordinators, and improving Career Technical Education (CTE) programs.

Actively engaged in her community, Lorez is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Nu Omega Chapter. She serves on the Pepperwood Preserve Foundation Board, the 10,000 Degrees Sonoma County Advisory Board, the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center Program Advisory Board, and the California Press Foundation.

North Bay Business Journal, California

Susana Balbo studied enology at university and graduated cum laude in 1981, becoming the first female enologist in Argentina.

With a career in the wine industry of more than 40 years, Susana Balbo is certainly the most well-known Argentinian female winemaker and is called the “Queen of Torrontés” for role transforming Torrontés from a table wine to a world-class variety. She was elected to be president of Wines of Argentina for three terms during which Argentinian wine exports increased exponentially taking the country to stand out in the world wine map.

As an entrepreneur, she is currently the owner and founder of Susana Balbo winery, her family-run winery, which in almost 25 years has become one of the most important and renowned in Argentina. She also runs Susana Balbo Unique Stays, a luxury boutique hotel that she opened with her daughter Ana. With an audacious and innovative spirit, Susana has also founded Vision Air, offering “air safaris” for visitors to enjoy some of Argentina’s most emblematic places. Due to her vast career and her influential role as a businesswoman, she was granted the 2019 BRAVO Lifetime Achievement Award by the Council of the Americas and, in 2023, she was honored with the “Onorificenza dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia” by the Italian consul.

Susana Balbo is a woman of strong convictions and ideas, and she firmly believes that, in order to change something, you need to get involved. In 2015 she became National Congresswoman and in 2017 Argentinian President Mauricio Macri selected her as Chair of the W20 (Women’s 20), a G20 working group dedicated to women’s empowerment on a global scale. The following year, she became the first female Goodwill Ambassador of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), fostering development, inclusion and empowerment, emphasizing matters related to gender and rural youth.

Her cutting-edge character and essence have earned her many national and international awards and accolades. Susana was distinguished by the British magazine The Drinks Business as ‘Woman of the Year’ (2015) and was included in the top list of ‘The world’s most influential women in wine’ (2018). Moreover, she was named Winemaking Legend (2020) by world-respected, British wine journalist and Master of Wine Tim Atkin, and in 2022 the International Wine Challenge granted her the IWC Lifetime Achievement Award.

Susana Balbo, Argentina

Chelsea Barrett grew up in Calistoga and began working in vineyards and wineries from a young age. She attended UC Davis and graduated in 2010 with a degree in Viticulture and Enology. After college, Chelsea interned at Mayer am Pfarplaz in Austria, Two Hands in Barossa Valley, then returned home to Napa Valley, spending a harvest at Opus One. She then worked at Joel Gott Wines for seven years with projects all over California, as well as Oregon and Washington. During this time, she also began collaboration with her mother Heidi Barrett making wines for Amuse Bouche and Aviatrix. Chelsea joined the Materra team as Winemaker in 2019. She lives in Calistoga with her husband, three daughters, and a husky-german shepherd mix. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, cooking, skiing, scuba diving, and reading.

Materra, California

Dr. Terry Bates is a Senior Research Associate in the Cornell School of Integrative Plant Science and the Director of the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory, a 50-acre production research vineyard in the Lake Erie American Viticultural Area. Dr. Bates has 25 years of experience in vineyard mechanization, including mechanical grapevine pruning, shoot thinning, fruit thinning, and harvesting. His current research program integrates agricultural sensors, spatial data processing, and variable-rate mechanization for precision vineyard management.

Cornell University, New York

Corey’s first stop in the business was at Chateau Montelena where he followed in his Grandfather’s footsteps. In 1998 the Coppola family brought Corey on to their winemaking team and the 20 later he was named CEO of the Francis Coppola Winery. He then led the company through the merger with Delicato Family Vineyards in 2021 and currently holds the title of EVP Production and Chief Winemaker

As a respected member of the Sonoma County community, Corey is a past president of the Sonoma County Vintners and Alexander Valley Winegrowers. In 2019 Wine Business Monthly named Corey one of the “Top 50 Leaders” in the wine industry

Delicato Family Wines, California

Descended from generations of wine merchants, I was raised in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia (Spain). Following my family’s tradition, I tasted a drop of Cava within hours of my birth, setting me on my path.

After earning my MBA at ESADE, I moved to Sonoma, California, in 1987 as part of the original team that launched Gloria Ferrer Winery from a trailer in a Los Carneros cow pasture. For over 30 years, I was part of the management team of both Gloria Ferrer Winery and the Ferrer family import company, Freixenet USA, where I launched and grew brands both boutique and high-volume brands from over 25 of the best-known appellations in eight countries, spanning Old and New World.

In 2019, I founded a business consulting company that assists domestic and import wineries and trade associations with strategic planning, business development, and sales plans.

I am a pentaglot (English, Catalan, Spanish, French, and Italian), and my travels have taken me to visit over 50 appellations around the world. There is so much more to discover!

Eva Bertran Consulting, California

Linda Bisson is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis, where she taught wine production, the biology of yeast, and graduate courses in genetics since 1985. Other notable achievements include the Office International de la Vigne et du Vin (OIV) Prize in Oenology as a coauthor for Principles and Practices of Winemaking. She was science editor for the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture for many years and helped create a new journal for the society: Catalyst: Discovery into Practice. She was the society’s Honorary Research Lecturer in 2000.

Dr. Bisson obtained her PhD in Microbiology from the University of California, Berkeley in 1980. She was postdoctoral researcher and research associate position at Harvard Medical School before moving to the University of California, Davis. She served as Chair of the Department of Viticulture and Enology and has held multiple leadership roles on the Davis campus, including Chair of the Academic Senate from 2006-2008 and 2011-2012.

Dr. Bisson currently serves as Faculty Director of the NSF ADVANCE Institutional Transformation grant at UCD and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all faculty, staff and students.

University of California, Davis

Jeff Bitter is a life-long resident of California. Born into a family vineyard operation, Jeff has always had a passion for agriculture and specifically grape growing. Jeff is the President of Allied Grape Growers (AGG), a 500-member statewide grape growers cooperative marketing association. AGG markets approximately $100,000,000 worth of grapes annually to wineries, shippers, packers and dehydrators. In addition to managing AGG, Jeff is a fourth-generation California grape grower, actively farming winegrapes in Madera County, where he resides.

Jeff earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from California State University, Fresno and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the same. Jeff is also a graduate of Class XXXII of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, a prestigious two-year fellowship program emphasizing leadership training and development for those involved in California agriculture.

Jeff participates on numerous industry boards, committees and task forces and spends his free time farming, traveling and enjoying time with family and friends. Jeff has one minor and three adult children, one of which is married and provided Jeff with his first grandchild in 2024.

Sessions:

State of the Industry

Allied Grape Growers, California

Dr. Stephanie Bolton leads the Grower Research, Education, & Communications initiatives, plus the LODI RULES Sustainable Winegrowing Program, at the Lodi Winegrape Commission, an organization representing 750 growers farming around 90,000 acres of winegrapes. Stephanie brings to the table proven team organizational leadership, a high level of motivation and passion to discover both short- and long-term solutions for the farming families she adores, and an innate ability to creatively open communication channels between growers, scientists, and relative industry personnel. In 2023 she was selected as a Nuffield International Farming Scholar, a Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Honoree, and a Wine Business Monthly Industry Leader.

Sessions:

Getting off the Hamster Wheel: Whole Farm Profitability

Lodi Winegrape Commission, California

Danny Brager has a wealth of experience in the U.S. Beverage Alcohol industry, analyzing trends over many years. He formerly headed Nielsen’s Beverage Alcohol Practice Area in the U.S, leading teams that supported relationships with Nielsen’s clients as well as key industry groups and the media.

In his current consulting role, Danny provides data-driven analysis and insights to Beverage Alcohol companies seeking to translate information into authoritative, fact-based insights in support of their corporate and brand goals. Each year, he presents at a large number of notable industry and company events and is a frequent thought leader contributor to the media/press. His informed opinions are highly respected by the beverage alcohol producers, importers, distributors, retailers and financiers.

Danny currently partners with 3 Tier Beverages – a company that facilitates the provision of data, and provides outsourced analytics, is on the Board of Directors of the Wine Market Council, and is Managing Director of Category & Consumer Insights at Azur Associates. Azur was founded to bring comprehensive advisory & consulting services – including strategic advisory, mergers & acquisitions and route to market solutions – to wine and spirits companies.

Danny was born in Calgary, Alberta and moved to Toronto where he graduated from the Schulich School of Business at York University. He relocated to Mission Viejo, California in 1993 where he now resides.

Sessions:

State of the Industry

Brager Beverage Alcohol Consulting, California

Dr. Luca Brillante holds the esteemed Bronco Wine Co. Chair in Viticulture and serves as an Associate Professor of Viticulture at Fresno State. He is a pioneering figure in precision and computational viticulture. With a prolific research portfolio, he has published 44 peer-reviewed articles, secured an international patent, and presented at over 90 scientific conferences. Dr. Brillante’s expertise extends to editorial roles in international peer-reviewed publications.

His career began in viticulture and winemaking, including a stint at Chateau Mouton-Rothschild. His academic journey led to a joint Master in Bordeaux, Montpellier, and Torino and a Ph.D. in Burgundy, focused on ecophysiological analysis through artificial intelligence methods. Subsequently, he conducted post-doctoral research at CREA in Conegliano, Italy, and UC Davis.

In 2018, he joined Fresno State, where he leads a state-of-the-art research lab in precision and digital viticulture. He’s dedicated to developing innovative sensor technology, optimizing vineyard sustainability and efficiency, and addressing contemporary challenges like climate change and labor availability.

California State University, Fresno

Paul Brock has been the winegrower and co-owner of Silver Thread Vineyard in the Finger Lakes since 2011. Paul is driven by his desire to learn about and know how to explain classical and cutting-edge techniques useful to small scale winemaking and vineyard operations. His current interests include developing and practicing biointensive viticultural techniques which reduce synthetic pesticides while focusing on regenerating soil health and balanced vine nutrition to achieve high-quality grapes for wine production.

Paul is an Associate Professor of Viticulture and Wine Technology at Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC). He is also a winemaking consultant for The Gotham Project, a company that primarily markets keg wine to New York City restaurants. Before purchasing Silver Thread, he has practiced winemaking in both the Finger Lakes and Marlborough, New Zealand. Paul has an M.S. in Enology and Viticulture from Cornell University and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has earned a wine judge certification from the American Wine Society and a level three Advanced Certificate in Wines and Spirits from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust of London.

Finger Lakes Community College, New York

Elaine Chukan Brown serves as a writer, speaker, and global wine educator. Previously, Brown served as the Executive Editor US for JancisRobinson.com, a columnist for Decanter Magazine, and a contributing writer to Wine & Spirits Magazine. They contributed to both the 4th and 5th editions of Oxford Companion to Wine, the 8th edition of the World Atlas of Wine, and the compilations On Burgundy and On California from Academie du Vin Library. Indigenous (Inupiaq and Unangan-Sugpiaq) from what is now Alaska, Brown has dedicated their career to the intersection of sustainability, climate action, and reducing gatekeeping in the wine industry. They co-founded the Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum and have advised diversity initiatives in multiple countries. Brown serves as a judge for the Texsom Awards and is a board member of the Wine Writer Symposium.

Hawk Wakawaka Wine Reviews, California

Will Camarda is the Winemaker and Sales Director at Andrew Will Winery. He has been working at the winery for 10+ years.

Andrew Will Winery, Washington

Jim is the CIO at Elevate responsible for bringing new technology, data, and marketing solutions to our clients. Under his leadership Elevate will expand its capabilities around data, insights and create a proprietary software platform that will make our teams and clients more efficient and effective. In addition, the team will be focused on packaging and ‘productizing’ our offerings to the market. Prior to joining Elevate, Jim was the Co-Founder and CEO of Apollo Program, a software company that provides businesses with powerful intelligence on people to make marketing more informed, accurate, and ultimately more effective that was acquired by Stagwell in July of 2022.

Prior to Apollo, Jim joined Anomaly in June 2016 as their first Chief Product Officer to create a product that harnesses the true power of data to fuel creative advertising. At Anomaly he led the development and productization of their analytics, technology, data, and software strategy. Previously, he served as SVP of Product & Client Strategy at Varick Media, an industry leading media trading desk. He was responsible for guiding the strategy and development of the technology, sales planning, marketing, business development and account management functions.

Jim graduated Summa Cum Laude with Honors from Montclair State University, after which he was a founding partner of a startup which developed enterprise social & relationship management software for large, multinational corporations. Upon exiting, he utilized his entrepreneurial experience along with his product knowledge to begin his career developing software and technology products across various verticals, including government compliance, higher education, and most recently digital media and advertising. Previously, Jim was the head of Product Development at Undertone where he led the development for their ad serving and media buying platform. Jim has also founded four startups: MobileTag, a mobile gaming platform, Snapit App, an e-gifting mobile application, Travelyst, a mobile UCG-led trip planner and ATX, an Amazon commerce agency.

Elevate, New York

Leticia, a wine professional with more than 20 years of experience in California, and currently the Winemaker and Winery Manager at the University of California, Davis. Previously, Leticia has been at Safe Harbor Wine Storage, Treasury Wine States, E&J Gallo Winery, Golden State Vintners (now Wine Group) and Delicato Family Vineyards.

She is on her third year as co-chair of the Program Development Committee for Unified Wine and Grape Symposium and participates actively on the Spanish Track.

She is an active member for the American Society for Viticulture and Enology (ASEV), a professional society dedicated to the interests of enologist, viticulturists, and others in the fields of wine and grape research and production. She is past President (2012-2013) for this Society, and she has served as a Poster Chair for the National Conference, Best Paper Award Committee, and others.

She enjoys her free time with her husband and her two young sons in various activities like cooking, reading, swimming, biking, watching movies, attending symphony orchestra concerts, among others.

MS in Food Sciences (Enology emphasis), UC Davis.
BS in Chemical Engineering, Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México, Mexico City.

University of California, Davis

Ben-Min Chang is the Research Scientist of Viticulture and Plant Physiology in Summerland Research and Development Centre, British Columbia, Canada. Ben-Min joined Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Summerland in March 2022. Previously, he received his PhD degree and worked as postdoctoral research associated at the Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser, Washington, USA.

Ben-Min had diverse experiences working in the field of viticulture. Starting with table grape research in subtropical Taiwan in 2008, he studied grape berry splitting and heat stress management in Washington state since 2013. His current research focus on the grapevine stress management. Specifically, he is interested in managing cold, heat, and drought stress of wine grapes in the Okanagan and Similkameen valley.

Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada

Janelle Christian is the Director of the Office of Industry and State Outreach at the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). In this role, Janelle focuses on communication and outreach for TTB-regulated industry members. Some of her primary efforts include coordinating TTB participation at industry conferences and events; identifying training opportunities for industry members to encourage voluntary compliance with TTB laws, regulations, and requirements; and serving as a liaison with industry members and trade associations.

Janelle joined TTB in 2011 as a Presidential Management Fellow. Prior to her current position, she served as Industry Outreach Program Manager and as Policy Advisor to Headquarters Operations. Janelle received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Oregon State University, a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University, and a law degree from the University of Oregon.

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Oregon

Brianne Cohen is a Los Angeles based event producer, certified sommelier, wine educator, and wine writer. During the pandemic, Brianne educated and entertained over 7,000 people through her “Virtual Vino” online wine classes, regularly highlighting diverse (i.e. Black, BIPOC, female, and LGBT) owned wineries. She now offers both in-person (and virtual) wine tasting experiences for her corporate clients. Brianne regularly judges at international wine competitions, including the International Wine Challenge (IWC) in London and holds the WSET Diploma certificate. She writes about wine on her own website and for outlets such as Decanter, Monarch Wine, Matador, SommTV, Edible, Wine Tourism, and Wine365. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University. Brianne Cohen Wine & Events is a certified woman-owned business with WBENC.

Brianne Cohen Wine & Events, California

Natalie Collins leads the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG), championing the interests of California’s winegrape community. She oversees CAWG’s operations, manages its 29-member Board of Directors, and drives federal legislative efforts while advancing initiatives in sustainability, pest and disease management, and trade policy.

Natalie joined CAWG in 2015 and became President in 2022, bringing a strong background in agriculture from her prior role as Program Director for the San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation. A graduate of California State University, Chico, with a degree in Agricultural Business, Natalie is dedicated to delivering value and innovation for California winegrape growers.

California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG)

Dr. Collins is an Assistant Professor of Grape and Wine Chemistry in the Viticulture and Enology Program at Washington State University. He manages a research program in wine and spirits aroma and flavor chemistry and teaches course in wine chemistry and winery operations. Tom’s current research focuses on the impacts of wildfire smoke exposure on grape and wine quality.

Prior to joining WSU in 2015, Dr. Collins was the Director of Research for the Food Safety and Measurement Facility at U.C. Davis. He received his Ph.D. in Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry from U.C. Davis in 2012. He has also served as the President of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture.

Sessions:

Managing Barrels and Oak Adjuncts (includes samples/demos and tasting)

Washington State University, Tri-Cities

The first woman Winemaker-Proprietor in the Napa Valley, Cathy Corison produces three Cabernet Sauvignons, hand-crafted without comprise from benchland vineyards between Rutherford and St. Helena. She makes wines that are both powerful and elegant, speak of time and place and are structured to grace the table and enjoy a long, distinguished life.

A wine appreciation course taken while studying Biology at Pomona College 50 years ago led to a life in wine. A master’s degree in Enology from UC Davis followed. Winemaking gigs included Yverdon, Chappellet, Staglin, York Creek and Long Meadow Ranch. Cathy founded Corison in 1987 and she and her husband, William Martin, built their winery in 1999.

Corison Winery, California

Jonathan Cristaldi is a wine writer and reviewer who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the Napa Valley correspondent for Decanter, an authoritative UK-based magazine distributed to over 90 countries, reaching over 2 million subscribers. His articles on wine, spirits, and beer have appeared in local and national print and digital platforms, including Decanter, Food & Wine, Departures; The SOMM Journal; Tasting Panel Magazine; Liquor (dot) com; Seven Fifty Daily; Los Angeles Magazine; LA Mag’s Liquid LA blog; Thrillist (National Edition); Tasting Table (National Edition); Time Out LA; Complex Magazine’s First We Feast blog; Vivino; and Psychology Today. When not writing about wine, Cristaldi works as a scriptwriter on film and documentary projects with award-winning commercial photographer and director Rachid Dahnoun.

Decanter, California

Alison Crowe is Vice President Winemaking and Partner at Napa-based Plata Wine Partners. Plata Wine Partners, started in 2005, is a leading wine and case goods supplier to “Top 100” wine brands and US and international retailers and restaurants. With grape sourcing from its own certified sustainable vineyards, Plata Wine Partners grows and makes coastal California wines from Santa Barbara County in the south to the Napa and Sonoma Valleys in the north.

Alison is on the Program Committee for the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium and is Co-Chair of the Carneros Wine Alliance. She writes the popular column “The Wine Wizard” for WineMaker Magazine, is author of The Winemaker’s Answer Book and the award-winning wine blog, GirlandtheGrape.com. She is a frequent industry speaker, having lectured at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and the UC Davis Graduate School of Management and holds three degrees from UC Davis: Fermentation Science, Spanish (1998) and an MBA (2010).

Plata Wine Partners, California

Luis Diaz-Garcia received his undergraduate degree in Agronomy from Universidad Autonoma Chapingo, and his master’s degree in Plant Biotechnology from CINVESTAV-LANGEBIO. He then joined the Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics Program at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and obtained his Ph.D. in 2018.

During his Ph.D., Luis worked in cranberry genetics, genomics, and phenomics, under the supervision of Dr. Juan Zalapa. After graduating from UW Madison, Luis moved to Aguascalientes, Mexico, and occupied a position as lead scientistic at INIFAP, a Mexican agency for research in agriculture, livestock, and forestry. At INIFAP, Luis conducted genetics and genomics research on several crop species including guava, maize, and Capsicum.

Luis joined the Viticulture and Enology Department in Fall 2022 and currently leads the grapevine breeding program at UC Davis. His lab at UC Davis integrates multidisciplinary and high-scalable approaches for guiding grapevine breeding efforts and preventing future difficulties in growing high-quality grapes in the light of climate change. Research and breeding in Luis’ group are based on the needs and priorities of growers, industry, nurseries, food processors, and consumers. His lab heavily relies on industry collaborations and on building relationships with growers to better assess current and future challenges, priorities, and areas of opportunity for grapevine breeding.

University of California, Davis

Damian is the 39-year-old son of Marcelo Doffo, who purchased the land and planted vines in 1994, and wasted no time involving the whole family in the business, including Damian and his sisters Brigitte and Samantha. Damian has been the winemaker for 12 years, and also became CEO five years ago. In the early days of winemaking in the backyard, Damian would help out by washing bottles for 10 cents apiece. That was long ago, and thanks to his father’s mentoring he has since developed into a promising winemaker.

Sessions:

Be Your Own Influencer

Doffo Winery, California

Dr. Nick Dokoozlian is the Vice President of Winegrowing Research at E&J Gallo Winery in Modesto, CA. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Vineyard Foundation, serves as the Research Chair of the National Grape and Wine Initiative, and is an Associate Editor of the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture. Prior to joining E&J Gallo, Dokoozlian was a member of the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis. Dokoozlian received his PhD in Plant Physiology from the University of California, Davis.

E. & J. Gallo Winery, California

As Co-Founder of BottleRock Presents, Justin focuses his efforts on creating a unique guest experience within the music festival landscape. Areas of the business under his direction include the VIP Experience, Music Production, Festival Design, and Finance. Originally from the Napa Valley, Justin initially returned to Napa to become President of Gargiulo Vineyards, a luxury wine estate, of which he is still a Partner. At Gargiulo Vineyards, he has been instrumental in the growth and transformation of this entrepreneurial endeavor to create the finest wines in the world from their estate vineyards in Oakville. Prior to Gargiulo, Justin was based in New York City and was Vice President of Global Technology Services at IBM. Justin’s staff of consulting, technical, and sales resources produced $500 million in annual revenues, delivering solutions to Fortune 500 clients, with a specific focus on the Retail Industry. Justin holds an MBA from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and currently resides in the Napa Valley

Bottlerock Presents, California

Nonprofit executive, hospitality changemaker and DE&I expert, Ikimi Dubose-Woodson is using her two decades of experience in hospitality to change the face of the wine industry. In 2020, she co-founded The Roots Fund, a nonprofit organization committed to helping more people of color gain access to the wine industry. As Chief Executive, Ikimi oversees The Roots Fund’s scholarship program for over 200 people which includes educational programming, enrichment trips, mentoring, career consulting, mental health support, directs their massive fundraising effort, and advises wineries and other partners on their diversity, equity and inclusion work.

Raised in Brooklyn, Ikimi got her start through a scholarship opportunity from an organization called C-CAP in high school that led to her first job at the World Trade Center Marriott as a silver polisher. She attended Johnson & Wales, fine tuning her culinary and hospitality management skills. After several years working in kitchens around the world, she transitioned to the front of the house and became the youngest and first woman to complete the Marriott & Ritz Carlton Management Training Program. Ikimi went on to lead culinary and management teams at sports organizations, restaurant groups, and prestigious educational institutions, and create her own hospitality consultancy. Through these management roles, she found her true passion was mentoring the next generation, which inspired her to pursue Nonprofit Executive Leadership at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy.

Since starting The Roots Fund, Ikimi has become an outspoken advocate for social change and has championed equity and inclusion throughout the hospitality and beverage industry. She regularly appears on panels on topics of DE&I within organizations and recruitment and was named a 2022 Wine Enthusiast Future 40 Tastemakers and Innovators and has been quoted by the New York Times on wine industry diversity efforts.

The Roots Fund Inc, Connecticut

Originating from South-Western Australia, Jane Dunkley got her start in the wine industry as a teenager and never looked back. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Wine Science from Charles Sturt University and is a Master of Wine candidate, winning the Commanderie de Bordeaux USA Scholarship for exceptional performance in the Stage 1 exam in 2021. Her quest to craft world-class wine has led her around the globe, with over 2 dozen vintages in 4 different countries. In 2014 she came to California to assist Randall Grahm at Bonny Doon Vineyard, now based in Paso Robles she works for Cakebread Cellars as Winemaker for their new Central Coast project, Bezel.

Cakebread Cellars, California

Mason Earles is an Assistant Professor at UC Davis, Co-Leaf at the National AI Institute for Food Systems (AIFS), and CTO/Co-Founder of Scout. His research and industry work focuses on building new AI-enabled tools to help make the grape, agriculture, and food systems more efficient and sustainable.

University of California, Davis

Justin Erb is the Director of Digital at O’Neill Wines. He has been in the wine industry for over 10+ years working on wine brands of all sizes.

O’Neill Vintners & Distillers, Texas

Elisabeth Forrestel is an Assistant Professor at the University of California at Davis in the Department of Viticulture & Enology. She researches the ecophysiological and evolutionary basis of grapevine responses to extreme heat and drought, and how impacts of climate change on vine health and berry chemistry can be mitigated by agronomic practices.

University of California, Davis

Steve Fredricks joined Turrentine Brokerage in 1991 as a bulk wine broker. Over the years he has established himself as an expert in the sales of bulk wine and grapes, understanding market cycles, and building long term relationships. Steve is currently managing all Turrentine Brokerage operations and directly responsible for Turrentine’s international relationships and strategic alliances in France, Italy, Spain, Australia, Chile and Argentina.

In addition, he also oversees the publishing of the Turrentine Brokerage Collateral Value Report and The Turrentine Spotlight. Steve is a frequent speaker at several annual wine industry meetings discussing the bulk wine, grape and international markets.

Steve graduated from U.C. Davis in 1988 with an individual major of Wine Production Management and Marketing, combining business and fermentation science. During the weekends, Steve can be found on his road bike or mountain bike climbing the hills of Marin County or in the mountains skiing with his family.

Turrentine Brokerage, California

Mark Garaventa’s professional success, which spans more than three decades began in his family business, before he moved on to manage national sales for a large corporation. He then transitioned into the wine business in 2007, joining Rack & Riddle when the company was still in its infancy.

An integral part of the executive team, Mark rose from the role of Vice President of Sales to General Manager, a role he embraces, meeting and learning about every employee. As a lifelong baseball player who still competes in Northern California leagues today, Mark is a natural team player, and like most committed athletes he recognizes the importance of every team member, as well as the collective power of the win.

A native of the North Bay Area, Mark earned his degree from St. Mary’s College in 1988. Initiatives in which Mark has been involved include the original move of Rack & Riddle to their main Healdsburg location in 2014; company acquisitions including production facilities in Alexander Valley, Geyserville, and Lodi; the development of multiple custom wine brands; and the vast evolution of producing primarily Méthode Champenoise, to adding state-of-the-art technologies, as well as multiple sparkling beverage production capabilities including Charmat and premium canning.

While Mark has been a member of the Rack & Riddle team, the company has experienced unprecedented growth. Through careful guidance and focused innovation, Rack & Riddle is now the #1 custom sparkling wine producer in the United States. A hallmark is the level of quality and care for their customers, employees and wines that remains consistent with the day the company began.

Rack & Riddle, California

Susana García-Dolla is the General Manager at the Spanish Wine Interprofessional Organization (OIVE) since 2017. She has a long career in the wine sector that began in 1995 in the Spanish Wine Federation as Director of Communication and later as Deputy Secretary General, working in areas ranging from foreign promotion and international trade to regulation and sector CSR. This global knowledge has been a key element in coordinating the work of OIVE, an organization that brings together the entities representing the value chain of the Spanish wine sector, both in the production and marketing branches, and which seeks to overcome the challenges it must face through union and consensus.

Interprofessional Wine Organization of Spain

Dr. Amélie Gaudin is Associate Professor and Endowed Chair of Agroecology in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of California Davis. She obtained a Ph.D. in Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph (Canada) and worked as an agronomist and crop physiologist at various CGIAR centers to sustainably intensify staple food crop production in smallholder farming systems. She currently leads a dynamic and diverse team of students and postdoctoral researchers to characterize outcomes of regenerative agricultural models that have conservation of natural resources, agrobiodiversity, and ecosystem services as a basis for improvements. She engages communities with the science of agricultural ecology by collaborating with and learning from a diverse group of students, growers, advisors, and policy advocates. Her research integrates concepts and methodologies from various disciplines to measure multifunctional outcomes of ecological intensification and regenerative strategies on soil health, C sequestration and drought resilience. She is also interested in better understanding root system and rhizosphere ecology and their potential to harness improvements in soil health, sequester carbon and decrease crop water and nutrients requirements. More information here: http://gaudin.ucdavis.edu

University of California, Davis

Tracy serves as Vice President & General Counsel at Wine Institute, a California-based winery trade association representing over 1,000 wineries. Prior to joining Wine Institute, Tracy served as Vice President and General Counsel of Edrington North America, a Scottish-based ultra-premium spirits group that produces Macallan Scotch Whiskey amongst other world-famous products. In addition, during the course of her legal career, she has successfully represented individuals seeking political asylum in the United States. Tracy holds an adjunct law professor position at many top law schools, including Stanford and Berkeley Law Schools. Lastly, Tracy is an author/contributor to a number of publications including Wine Law in America: Law and Policy.

Wine Institute, California

I got my Ph.D. from the University of Murcia (1992) being the main topic of the doctoral thesis the study of the volatile components of grapes and wines. I did a post-doctoral research stay at Fresno (California, USA) for 16 months, hired by the Agricultural Research Service and California Raisin Advisory Board. The objective was to carry out a research project regarding the presence of trichloroanisoles in raisins.

I returned to Spain and continued working on grapes and wines for three years, focusing the research on their polyphenolic and chromatic characterization (1994-1996). I joined the University of Murcia in 1997, first as an Assistant Professor and later as a Full Professor in the area of Food Technology and from 2007 as a University Professor.

I have participated in more than 25 research projects, with regional, national and European funding, being the Research Leader in 15 of them and almost all of them have been related to the study of different aspects of grapes and wines with a special focus on the studies of phenolic compounds of grapes and wines, the different phenomena associated with them, affecting both to chromatic and gustatory properties (such as the astringency associated with tannins) and the modulation of their concentrations by applying various oenological techniques, such as the use of high power ultrasound.

Due to our large knowledge of wine properties and our experience in technological approaches, I have also led several contracts with different companies. With one of these companies, I have participated in a SME instrument on the Horizont 2020 framework, working in the development of an ultrasound system for wineries and we have been, together with Agrovin S.A., the promoters for the approval of the use of ultrasound in oenology, participating as representatives of the Spanish delegation in the meetings of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) for three years.

University of Murcia, Spain

Erik Grabner is the Co-Founder of NYC-based Cohley — the tech company that’s changing the way brands generate and test photos, videos, and product reviews. Erik entered the tech world back in 2013 in Silicon Valley with Piqora and Olapic, pioneering the UGC space.

Cohley, New York

Professor José Enrique Herbert-Pucheta
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Scientist / Lecturer in metabolomics, analytical chemistry, and spectroscopy

Full time professor, ENCB IPN, Mexico
Head of the Mexican Scientific Delegation, International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV)
Scientific Coordinator of the 43rd World Congress of Vine and Wine (2022)
34 Peer reviewed research articles (21 articles as first and/or corresponding author)
Coordinator of the international analytical method for wine analysis with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy published in the International Compendium of Methods of Analysis of Wine and Musts of the OIV.
Visiting Scholar, Texas A&M University (2023)

Invited plenary speaker in more than 100 International Conferences including the “Chemistry of Wine Symposium” by the American Chemical Society and World Congresses of Vine and Wine (OIV) since 2018.

Academic Degrees
I. B. Sc. Chemistry, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (2002-2007)
II. M. Sc. Physical Chemistry, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (2007-2009)
III. Ph.D. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance lambda cum laude (highest honors),
Université Paris Sorbonne, France (2009-2012)

Appointment
I. Postdoctoral Research Associate, Purdue University, United States of America (2012-2013)
II. Postdoctoral Research Associate, Université Paris Saclay, France (2013-2015)
III. Junior Research Faculty, Mexican Ministry of Sciences, (2016-2021)

Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico

A foundation in international hotel management, Including the Ritz London, introduced David to the world of fine wines, advancing the Australian assault on the global wine market while working as Director of Brands – UK/Europe for Rosemount Estate Wines. Recognizing the encouraging developments in the NOLO beverage sector, David established the Vinolo project in 2018 to critically assess existing products and focus on creating alcohol-free wines for enthusiasts. Mindful of the impact of years of consuming alcohol on his own health, he decided to go alcohol-free himself, although longed to still be able to enjoy the fascinating flavours, textures & ritual that only wine provides. With Co-Founder & wine trade veteran Will Willis, David launched ZENO Prestige alcohol-liberated wines in December 2022, garnering numerous awards & continuing to discover new techniques to improve alcohol-free wine quality & sophistication. David also actively works to support the dynamic NoLo segment as it grows & prospers internationally.

Vinolo Ltd., United Kingdom

Kendall Hoxsey Onysko, a fifth-generation grape grower, resides in Oakville with her husband and two children. Her love of family and history has always been a guiding force. She is now the President of Yount Mill Vineyards overseeing 1000 acres of land in Yountville and Oakville. She currently is a board member for the California Association of Wine Grapegrowers, Napa Valley Grapegrowers, and California PD/GWSS.

Yount Mill Vineyards, California

Paul is the Manager of Technical, Environmental, and International Affairs and the Redwood Vineyards winemaker for Bronco Wine Company in Ceres, CA. He serves as the Vice Chair for the Wine Institute Technical Advisory Committee and leads its Wine Components Working Group. He also serves as the Co-chair for the Scientific and Technical Committee of FIVS, a wine and spirits trade organization based in Paris, France.

Bronco Wine Company, California

Matt brings more than twenty years of experience in the industry to his role at BevZero, he has served as a Winemaker, Director of Winemaking, and General Manager for the last decade.  After progressing from various positions in the cellar, lab, and winemaking, Matt owned and operated a small wine company for several years before returning to helping others build and grow their companies.  Most recently prior to joining BevZero he helped create and launch a large custom crush facility, Feliz Creek Cellars, literally from the ground up.  Matt has also held positions at Kendall-Jackson, Vérité Estate, and Six Sigma Ranch.

“I’m passionate about the no and low alcohol space. The products and brands we work with end up in my kitchen, on my table, and in my glass. I’m excited to see how our company and our clients evolve along with our overall knowledge and technology.”

Matt joined the team in early 2021 as Director of US Operations and has transitioned to the role of General Manger.  If he’s not at his desk you might find him on his mountain bike, in a yoga class, at a concert, or exploring the amazing food and beverage culture of California and beyond.

BevZero, California

Shakera Jones is a NYC-based food and wine writer, content creator, host, podcaster and educator. Her show Weekly Wines, on the streaming platform SOMMTV, explores grape varieties and production regions to broaden the palates of her followers. She is committed to breaking down the intimidation often associated with the world of fine wines.

Through her page @blackgirlsdinetoo she has focused on creating a community that promotes and supports diversity, equity and inclusion efforts for women and other underrepresented groups in the culinary and fine wine industries.

She was recently recognized as one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s 40 under 40 Tastemakers in 2021. She has been named as a cast member on Season 2 of the James Beard Award nominated competition show Sparklers, set to air in 2024 and was recently featured in the Tastemade series ““Street Somm”.

Black Girls Dine Too, New York

After a decade in influencer marketing, Brittany Kelly is an expert in influencer strategy for brands of all sizes. She currently leads the New Business team at Fohr, where she’s been focused on building strategic partnerships between brands and content creators/influencers for nearly seven years. Brit has been instrumental in shaping brand strategies that evolve and expand as quickly as the social space does, both at Fohr and for the wider influencer industry. She lives in New York.

Fohr, New York

Ben Kolber, owner of KG Vineyard Management, offers custom farming services and vineyard management in the Lodi area and beyond for over twenty years. He has been active in the farming community as a past Lodi winegrape commissioner, past wine marketing committee chair, and currently serves on CAWG, Lodi District Grape Growers Association and multiple reclamation districts in the Delta.

KG Vineyard Management LLC, California

Dr. Mark Krstic is the Managing Director of the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI). He has more than 25 years of experience in grape and wine research, development and extension in prior roles within the AWRI, the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation, Victorian Government and CSIRO. Mark is also an Adjunct Professor at Macquarie University. He chairs the Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference Inc. and is on the Boards of the National Wine Foundation and the South Australian Genomics Centre. Mark is also a past President of the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology and graduate of the Wine Industry Future Leaders Program.

Australian Wine Research Institute

Steven Kukesh, Director of Winemaking Research & Development at Delicato Family Wines since 2015, brings over 15 years of research winemaking expertise to the industry. A graduate in Biological Sciences from California State University, Stanislaus, Steven’s commitment to winemaking is reflected in his leadership. Upon joining Delicato, he undertook the task of building the research program from scratch. Since then, he has collaborated with the entire winegrowing team to implement a diverse array of projects spanning processing, ingredients, equipment, and vineyard evaluations, ensuring a comprehensive approach to advancing winemaking practices while prioritizing wine quality. Steven has also introduced a sensory program, both internally and externally, and has spearheaded product development initiatives.

Delicato Family Wines, California

A Chilean with Greek roots, Matías was a Marine officer, Special Forces, and Naval Engineer in Chile for more than seven years when he realized that it was time to change the course of his career. In 2005, he started studying Agricultural Engineering at the University of Chile, where he graduated with distinction and a major in Viticulture and Enology. He worked in Chile for a few years and in 2011 he decided to start traveling the world on a quest to learn new wine-making techniques. After several harvests in Oceania, Europe and Africa, he settled down in France, to do his post degrees at the Universities of Bordeaux and Montpellier. He also performed for two years as a Maître de Chai for one of the oldest and most reputable wineries in Condrieu and Côte-Rôtie.

After years of traveling and over 15 harvests, he came to the United States in 2016 and joined Gård Vintners/Lawrence Vineyards as a Winemaker and Viticulturist, and is currently head winemaker for Gård Vintners, Contact Natural Wines, Valo, and his own label, Massalto. He also consults for 5 wineries in Washington, is a WSU advisor for the Washington Soil Health Initiative and is the Head Viticulturist for Lawrence Vineyards managing over 1500 acres of vineyards across Washington State.

Gård Vintners/Lawrence Vineyards, Washington

Ms. Theodora Lee, a San Francisco law firm senior partner and trial lawyer at Littler, is the founder and owner of Theopolis Vineyards. Her passion for wine began upon her arrival to San Francisco from Texas in 1987, primarily due to the influence of her law firm mentors, many of whom owned vineyards. This led Ms. Lee to take several viticulture classes at UC Davis, before deciding to develop her own vineyard. In 2001, Ms. Lee purchased sheep land in the Yorkville Highlands of Anderson Valley, and began developing her vineyard. Finally, in 2003, Ms. Lee planted her vineyard, and adopted her Greek name, from pledging Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and established Theopolis Vineyards.

In the wine world, Ms. Lee is known as Theo-patra, Queen of the Vineyards. Wine Critic Robert Parker bestowed upon wine made from grapes harvested from Theopolis Vineyards a stellar rating of 94-96 points, a spectacular showing for the vintner’s first harvest in 2006. Emboldened by the great fruit produced by the land, Ms. Lee, a bold and dynamic Texan, decided to bottle her own wines in 2014. In addition to bottling the richly intense and flavorful Petite Sirah, Theopolis Vineyards strikes a lighter note by bottling a Symphony, a white wine grape, which is a crossing of Muscat and Grenache Gris. Ms. Lee also bottles the unique Rosé of Petite Sirah, a Yorkville Highlands Pinot Noir, and a Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir. Recently, Theopolis Vineyards has expanded its production and is now bottling Theo-patra’s Cuvée Cerise and Theo-patra’s Cuvée Blanc series.

The Sunset Magazine International Wine Competition has consistently given wines from Theopolis Vineyards stellar Gold Medals. The San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition has bestowed on the Estate Grown Theopolis Vineyards Rosé of Petite Sirah a stellar Double Gold Medal. The San Francisco International Wine Competition has consistently bestowed Double Gold and Gold medals on the Estate Grown Petite Sirah. The September 2016 Issue of Somm Journal listed the 2013 Theopolis Vineyards Estate Grown Petite Sirah as Best in Class, meaning it is considered the best Petite Sirah in the world. The other wines from Theopolis Vineyards including the Yorkville Highlands Symphony, the Anderson Valley, Yorkville Highlands and Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, the Cuvée Cerise and Cuvée Blanc series have consistently won either gold, silver and/or bronze medals at various wine competitions, including the Orange County Fair Commercial Wine Competition, The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge, the Sommeliers Choice Awards , and TEXSOM International Wine Awards. Wine Critic Antonio Galloni Presents Vinous also has bestowed on wines from Theopolis Vineyards 90 plus Points. Wine Enthusiast Magazine has bestowed on wines from Theopolis Vineyards 90 Plus Points. The 2018 Estate Grown Theopolis Vineyards Petite Sirah received 96 Points, and Cellar Selection, the highest ranking ever given a Petite Sirah by that magazine. Indeed, that vintage was ranked No. 16 in the Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2021 by Wine Enthusiast. Theopolis Vineyards also has been featured in various publications, including Forbes Magazine, Bloomberg, Sunset Magazine, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Sonoma Magazine, The Boston Globe, Bon Appetit, HuffPost.Com, San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News, The Press Democrat, San Francisco Bay Times, Essence Magazine, to name a few. Theopolis Vineyards has been featured on various TV and Radio Shows, including Check, Please! Bay Area, PBS, KRCB TV, KGO, KTVU, ABC, CBS News, Black News Channel, The Ryan Scott Show and On-the-Go with John Hamilton, to name a few. In 2020, Ms. Lee was recognized as a 2020 Wine Industry Leader by Wine Business Monthly. In 2021, Ms. Lee was a Wine Enthusiast’s 22nd Annual Wine Star Award Person of the Year Nominee.

Theopolis Vineyards, California

Mark Lucci is the Winemaker for New Product Development at Constellation Brands and is based in Napa, California. His role involves the creation and development of innovative new brands, as well as the expansion of existing wine portfolios. Mark’s work includes winemaking for several brands, including The Prisoner Wine Company, Robert Mondavi, Meiomi, and Kim Crawford.

Before his tenure at Constellation Brands, Mark held a comparable position at Treasury Wine Estate, further honing his skills in winemaking and new product development. His academic background in Chemistry from Bowdoin College in Maine, lays a solid foundation for his work in the wine industry. His winemaking journey is enriched by his experiences at The Hess Collection Winery and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.

Constellation Brands, Inc., California

Julie Lumgair is an award-winning consulting and hands-on winemaker. Her wines span nineteen vintages and 25 varietals from Napa Valley, Sonoma County and Italy. She has served in many combined estate winemaking and winegrowing roles with a keen eye on agricultural and cellar practices to significantly elevate sustainability, wine quality and sales. Her calling cards are consistently producing acclaimed wines that reflect their place, excellence in winery operations, substantial innovation and trial programs feasible for artisan wineries’ scale, a passionate attention to customer delight and long-lasting relationships.

Julie is a 5th generation Tennessee family farmer, who honed her sensory science, new product development, team building and executive leadership in her first career at Procter & Gamble and other noted Fortune 100 firms for 15 years. That experience, along with her “roll up the sleeves” work ethic, plus technical and analytical skills learned on the job from many mentors in the vineyards and cellars have been supplemented by years of rigorous independent technical study.

She has made exceptional wines including Art Nouveau, a new artisan Napa winery launching in 2025, J. Moss, Ideology Cellars, Valley of the Moon / Lake Sonoma, Castello di Montegiove, Windsor Oaks Vineyards and other private clients. Julie’s ongoing wine trials and experiments have been featured in industry press and conferences. Over 70 of her wines have consistently achieved 90+ scores and been noted by several leading critics including a Wine Spectator “Producer to Watch,” Wine & Spirits varietal “Top Ten” and “Year’s Best” lists.

Julie deeply enjoys volunteering, mentoring and building community. She is one of thirty industry leaders on the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium Program Committee and serves as President of Women for WineSense Napa / Sonoma and long-time Chair of their Winemaking & Viticultural Roundtable. She is a contributing technical writer and wine judge for wine industry trade and consumer publications, frequent winemaker panelist for Napa Valley Vintner’s top trade and media conferences and VIP immersions and masterclass developer / instructor at Napa Valley Wine Academy. She is a past board member for Napa Valley Wine Technical Group and IQ (Innovation + Quality) Conference for luxury winemaking advances.

For more information, please connect via LinkedIn or reach out directly to Julie.lumgair@gmail.com or 415-786-3415

Sessions:

Field-to-Table Technology Moves that Pay Back Big Time

Art Nouveau, California

Rachel Machi Wagoner serves as CalRecycle’s director.

Prior to being appointed director by Governor Gavin Newsom in December 2020, Ms. Machi Wagoner served as Deputy Legislative Secretary in the Office of the Governor beginning in 2019.

Before that she worked as the Chief Consultant for the California State Senate Committee on Environmental Quality from 2009 to 2018, where she advised state senators on issues related to environmental protection, including waste reduction, environmental justice, pollution prevention, and hazardous waste.

Ms. Machi Wagoner’s experience also includes time as Research Director at the University of Illinois, Chicago School of Public Health and an Advisor at the Department of Environment for the City of Chicago in 2008. Other public service includes consulting for the California State Senate Committee on Environmental Quality from 2007 to 2008 and for the California State Senate Committee on Health from 2004 to 2007, working as Director of Legislative Affairs at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control from 2002 to 2004, acting as a consultant for the California State Senate Committee on Elections and Reapportionment from 2000 to 2002, and as Deputy Legislative Secretary for Governor Gray Davis from 1999 to 2000.

Ms. Machi Wagoner holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy with a minor in history from the University of San Francisco.

CalRecycle, California

Rachel Martin: Winemaker and Nonalcoholic Wine Pioneer

Rachel Martin brings over two decades of winemaking experience, beginning with her education at the University of Bordeaux’s School of Enology. She applied her expertise to expand her family’s Boxwood Estate in Virginia, elevating it to international recognition and securing Middleburg’s designation as the state’s seventh AVA.

In 2016, Rachel launched Oceano Wines on California’s San Luis Obispo coast, leveraging the unique climate of the Spanish Springs vineyard to produce wines with a notable freshness and elegance.

Building on her success, Rachel introduced Oceano Zero Pinot Noir last October. This product stands out as the market’s first luxury nonalcoholic wine, distinguished by an innovative method that maintains the complex flavors and aromas of traditional wine, sans alcohol. Rachel’s work with Oceano Zero caters to a growing demand for premium nonalcoholic options, reflecting her pioneering spirit in winemaking.

Oceano Wines, California

Born in the Waikato region of New Zealand, Sean studied Microbiology and Biochemistry at Massey University where his exploration of fermentation science and a three-month stint at a small winery sparked his career in winemaking. He went on to spend time at New Zealand’s largest winery, Brancott, followed by Sonoma County’s Simi Winery, and then gained experience crafting wines in Chile before making a home in Healdsburg, CA working on brands like Clos du Bois, The Dreaming Tree and once again Simi. Since then, Sean has leveraged his diverse experience to become Director of Group Winemaking, helping produce quality wines across the Constellations Brand portfolio for the world to enjoy.

Constellation Brands, Inc., California

Carole Meredith
Professor Emerita, Department of Viticulture and Enology, University of California, Davis
Owner, Lagier Meredith Vineyard, Mount Veeder, Napa, California

Born in Wales, UK, Carole Meredith emigrated to California with her parents as a child and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. She received a B.S. in Biology and a Ph.D. in Genetics from the University of California, Davis. After postdoctoral research at Michigan State University and a short stint in plant biotechnology research in the private sector, she joined the Department of Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis, where she worked in grapevine genetics for 22 years. At UC Davis, her research lab pioneered the use of DNA profiling to investigate the origins of many wine grape varieties and the genetic relationships among them. She and her research collaborators determined the genetic and geographic origins of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah and many others. This research shed new light on wine history and dispelled long-held myths about the origins of classic wine grapes. Her discovery of the European home of Zinfandel in Croatia, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Zagreb, has provided California growers with a source for new clones and has revealed Zinfandel’s ancient history as a major wine grape in the Adriatic region.

Lagier Meredith Vineyard, on the east-facing slope of Napa’s Mount Veeder, is planted to Syrah, Mondeuse, Zinfandel and Malbec. Carole Meredith and her husband Stephen Lagier have lived and worked there since 1986. Although it is home to a grove of centenarian olive trees, the land had never previously been planted to grapevines. Carole and Steve have been producing their highly regarded Lagier Meredith wines from this vineyard since 1998. They have no employees and do the vineyard work and winemaking themselves.

Carole was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1990 and Chevalière de l’Ordre du Mèrite Agricole by the Republic of France in 2000. She retired from UC Davis as Professor Emerita in 2003. In 2009, she was inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame. In 2017, she was awarded a science medal (Red Danice Hrvatske) by the Republic of Croatia.

Professor Emerita, University of California, Davis

Dr. Michelle Moyer is a professor and Statewide Viticulture Extension Specialist for Washington State University. Her extension and research programs focus on proactive approaches to grape growing and decision support for individuals at all stages of grape production, with an emphasis on integrated vineyard management. She is the current interim President of the American Society of Enology and Viticulture.

Washington State University, IAREC

Working as the Sr. Director of Vineyards and Grower Relations for Bonterra Organic Estates, formerly Fetzer Vineyards, I have helped cultivate a focus on precision viticulture, regenerative organics, and water conservation across our northern California Estate Vineyards, in addition to other premium winegrape growing regions across California. The mission is simple, we must be part of the solution to the climate crisis – not a contributor to the causes. Educational background, BSc Biology and MSc Viticulture/Enology, in concert with applied experience in winegrape research, education, outreach and management have afforded me a unique and advantageous perspective to creating practical and sustainable solutions.

Bonterra Organic Estates, California

Over a career spanning almost 30 years, Kimberlee Nicholls has earned a reputation as one of Napa Valley’s most respected winemakers. With a gifted palate, and three decades of Napa Valley winemaking knowledge and experience, Kim crafts wines of character and complexity from Markham’s 350 acres of certified sustainable estate vineyards in Yountville, Oak Knoll and Calistoga.

From this prized fruit, Kim continues Markham’s unapologetic fascination with Merlot, its flagship varietal, and dedication to exceptional Bordeaux blends. Markham was one of the first wineries in Napa Valley to grow and specialize in Merlot, long recognized for its structure and vineyard-inspired sophistication. Each Markham Merlot, along with its acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, is a nuanced expression of the region’s character and nurtured with respect for yesterday’s successes and a passion for tomorrow’s discoveries.

She spearheaded a shift from “reserve” to estate wines, driving focus on the importance of sourcing and sustainability as major contributors to quality. In the 2000s, Kimberlee initiated a full review of the winery’s packaging and recycling efforts as part of the winery’s commitment to deliverer excellence beyond just the wine inside the bottle. Lightweight glass, USA-manufactured paper, corks and capsules closed the circle in the long-held Markham ethos of respecting the environment to produce better wines. Today, sustainability is woven into the fabric of Markham and considered at every touchpoint, from soil to fruit and cellar to glass.

Kim supports her community including the Napa Valley Vintners Napa Green Land and Napa Green Winery initiatives, and by collaborating with and mentoring her team and fellow female winemakers, especially through the last several seasons of devastating wildfires. She also finds inspiration in her love of pairing great food and wine. An accomplished cook and baker, Kim enjoys hosting small dinner parties for family and friends with the goal of creating wonderful memories that showcase the relationship between lovingly prepared food and artfully made wines.

After earning a degree in biology from Willamette University in 1989, Kim’s fascination with the science of winemaking led her to the lab at Napa Valley’s Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, where she honed her craft before joining Markham Vineyards in 1993. After four years of hands-on experience in the vineyards and in the winery, she was promoted to associate winemaker in 1997 and then to winemaker in 2001. In the two decades since, Kim’s artistry, innovative spirit and encyclopedic knowledge of winegrowing and winemaking have helped Markham Vineyards to earn countless accolades, and an enduring place as one of Napa Valley’s great wineries. In 2020, Kimberlee celebrated her 29th harvest at Markham Vineyards.

Markham Vineyards, California

Justin Noland is the Senior Director of DTC Marketing and E-Commerce at Treasury Wine Estates, one of the global leaders in wine. From the start of Justin’s career in wine, he has worked to bring digital transformation to marketing and consumer experiences. He, working with an incredible team, is enabling new technology and building better ways to connect with customers online.

With vast experience in marketing, Justin specializes in a channel-agnostic approach to digital marketing, giving brands the opportunity to deepen their engagement with a consumer, explore new experiences, learn through data, and support the customer towards the purchase path of their choice. He is a marketing leader with a vision to drive positive change in the wine industry and help new generations of wine drinkers engage with brands through digitally native channels.

Treasury Wine Estates, California

Misty Oebel is a Health and Farm Stress Educator with Michigan State University Extension. The Managing Farm Stress program is committed to providing education about the warning signs of stress and suicide risk for farmers and offers connections to resources like teletherapy. She provides support as part of a statewide initiative.

Prior to joining MSU Extension, Misty worked as a Family Therapist with teens and families in the foster care system. In this role, she worked with individuals and families in crisis to identify and develop support systems and healthy coping skills. Misty has a master’s degree in counseling psychology with an emphasis on clinical applications.

Michigan State University Extension, Isabella County

Researcher in Viticulture, Vine Physiology and Grape Quality at INTA in Argentina (1993-2003) and then at INRAE in France (2003-present). Author of numerous publications at scientific international magazines and interventions in congresses and in scientific and technical meetings. He has been The Director of the Mastery in Viticulture and Enology in Argentine, and his educational activity is wide and varied since it takes parts in international post-degree courses. Vice President of GiESCO (International Group of international Experts of vitivinicultural Systems for Co-Operation). Likewise, he is an international consultant on grapevine irrigation management in different countries.

INRAE, France

Devin Parr is a leading personality in the wine industry. She is the Founder and Managing Partner of Devin Parr & Associates, a PR, marketing, and content agency in the beverage, travel and tourism space. She holds her Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Diploma as well as a certification in wine expertise from the Apicius International School of Hospitality in Florence, Italy, and a B.A. in political science and economics from UC San Diego. In 2017, she was named one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers.

A passionate storyteller, Devin regularly contributes to wine and lifestyle publications, including VinePair, WineCountry.com, NapaValley.com, Sonoma.com, and The Gourmet Insider, and her own blog on DevinParr.com, where she covers the business of wine. She is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Vintner Project, and co-founder of online wine community Grapeloop. When she’s not traveling the world in search of memorable wines, she moonlights as an aspiring ninja, pursuing her black belt in Shorin Ryu karate.

Devin is based in Temecula, California with her husband, two sons, and two bossy Shih Tzus. Follow her wine, parenting, and martial arts adventures at @thesocalwinegal.

Devin Parr & Associates, California

Ross Patrick, a seasoned creative professional in branding and advertising, launched his career at Nike as a graphic designer. There, he developed a profound affinity for merging artistry with technology within the realm of brand strategy and design.

His journey led him to Capitol Records, where he honed the craft of visual storytelling, collaborating with iconic bands like Radiohead, Foo Fighters, and Paul McCartney. This experience propelled Ross into the big leagues of advertising at Deutsch LA, setting the stage for remarkable adventures with renowned brands like Starbucks, Amazon, and Anheuser-Busch.

Ross transitioned into pioneering cutting-edge social media advertising campaigns, venturing into the innovative world of Artificial Intelligence. He has emerged as a visionary in AI-driven creativity, now sharing his insights as a professor at the Academy of Art University, where he guides emerging creative leaders into the transformative realm of Generative AI. Ross’s legacy is defined by brand transformations, ignited artistic innovation, and the nurturing of tomorrow’s pioneers.

Academy of Art University, California

A decade into his publishing career at Time Inc., Dan Petroski took a moment to reflect, and he jettisoned to Italy for a year. While Petroski’s intention was to return to New York, a harvest invitation in 2006 to come to California was too good to pass up. After harvest, Petroski was hired at Napa’s Larkmead as cellar master, ultimately claiming the winemaker title in 2012. Petroski spent nearly 15 years at Larkmead, cementing his status as a top-tier Napa Valley Cabernet winemaker; during that period Petroski launched a white wine only brand called Massican, an ode to the Mediterranean and Petroski’s time spent living in Italy and drinking white wine. Petroski’s approach and ability to craft wines as diverse as Cabernet Sauvignon and Tocai Friulano has earned him perfect 100-point scores, Top 100 wines, recognition as San Francisco Chronicle’s Winemaker of the Year in 2017, Food & Wine magazine’s Drinks Innovator of the Year in 2022, and VinePair’s Winemaker of the Year in 2024.

Sessions:

Crafting DTC Success: How to Connect with Consumers and Grow Revenue

Massican Winery, California

Meghan Phillips, the moderator for the AI session, brings a unique perspective as a leader at Honey, a Sacramento-based creative and marketing studio deeply connected to the wine industry. With extensive experience in helping wineries tell their stories, she approaches AI integration from both marketing and operational viewpoints. At Honey, she leads exploration into how artificial intelligence can ethically enhance processes and business efficiencies—insights particularly valuable to wineries navigating their own AI journeys. Her practical understanding of both agency operations and wine industry needs positions her perfectly to guide this discussion on responsible AI adoption and implementation.

Sessions:

AI in the Wine Industry: Do’s, Don’ts, and Live Demonstrations from an AI Prompt Engineer

Honey, California

Dwight A. Phyall brings a proven track record of spearheading extensive human service initiatives nationwide, dedicated to crafting solutions and leaving an indelible mark in service and transformative endeavors. Guided by the principle of “cura personalis” or the holistic care of the individual, Dwight has over 15 years of experience in program management and national non-profit leadership, notably with government-funded initiatives such as AmeriCorps, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), and Job Corps.

With a focus on health and wellness, education, workforce development, and diversity, Dwight has successfully implemented system-wide projects. His expertise spans strategic planning, employee experience, learning, and data analytics. Currently serving as the Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Culture at Total Wine & More, the premier retailer in wine, spirits, and beer, boasting 264 stores across 28 states and a workforce of 11,000 nationwide.

Known in the wine industry as “DAP,” Dwight is also a WSET3-educated sommelier, Roots Fund Vintage Scholar, HUE Society Founding Member, and recipient of the Sommelier Scholarship award. Beyond his professional pursuits, Dwight is a proud dad of twins, and nurtures a profound passion for education, sports, travel, and fostering connections through shared experience.

Total Wine & More, Maryland

Rex Pickett is the author of Sideways, the novel upon which the Oscar-winning film of the same title is faithfully based.  His latest installment in the series is Sideways New Zealand, due out Jan. 30.  For an autographed and inscribed edition please go to rexpickettbooks.com.  Rex resides in the city of Napa and can be found at the Vintners Collective, where he tries his best to avoid Merlot.

Author of Sideways, California

Jennifer Purcell is the CEO of Avaline, a wine company founded by Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power that is raising the standard in the industry by making organic wine more accessible. While at the helm, Avaline has grown to the #2 organic wine brand in the country and become the third fastest growing wine brand within the top 200 wine brands nationally.

Before joining Avaline, Jen was CFO of Lumi, a high growth packaging sourcing and management platform serving DTC companies, and VP, Finance & Corporate Strategy at Thrive Market for nearly four years as it grew from $25MM to over $200MM in revenue. Jen also spent time at The Bouqs Company, a DTC floral retailer, and co-founded a startup that focused on educational software used by speech language pathology practitioners and patients. Prior to joining the startup world, Jen spent the early part of her career in transactional finance, including distressed debt and investment banking.

Her pedigree in DTC consumer businesses and finance makes her a strategic, data-driven leader who natively understands the constantly changing digital landscape. Having worked with several great leaders in the past, Jen prides herself on being a strong mentor that seeks to get the best out of her team. Her past experiences working with high growth, distressed, and mature companies has allowed her to understand the strategic decisions that must be made at various stages of a company’s lifecycle.

Avaline, California

After many years as head sommelier and consultant for some of the best restaurants in his native Tel-Aviv, Omri decided to cross the lines, and study viticulture and winemaking in France and Spain. Working in wineries in Spain, Israel and New-Zealand, Omri finally joined the Guinaudeau family in 2013 and started working at the two family estates: Château Lafleur and Château Grand Village.

Today Omri is a part of a very small and skillful team who manages simultaneously the viticulture, winemaking and even the distribution for both properties.

Château Lafleur, France

Kristen Reitzell is an accomplished communications executive with nearly 20 years of experience. As the Senior Vice President of Communications & Digital Marketing at Jackson Family Wines, she spearheads the company’s global communications strategy, encompassing PR, corporate communications, and digital marketing across their wineries worldwide.

In her decade-long tenure at the company, Kristen has played a pivotal role in executing successful consumer awareness campaigns, along with launching new products, brands, and estate openings. She brought a digital-first mindset to the company, developing the digital marketing to become the crucial part of the company’s growth, adeptly navigating the ever-changing digital landscape.

Beyond her professional realm, Kristen is an avid San Francisco Giants and 49ers fan and enjoys outdoor pursuits like hiking and skiing with her family. Her commitment to both her career and personal life underscores her leadership style and enthusiasm for life.

Jackson Family Wines, California

Devin Rippner is a research soil scientist with the USDA-ARS Horticultural Crop Production and Genetic Improvement Research Unit and an adjunct faculty member at Washington State University. He has worked with a variety of stakeholders including beekeepers, viniculturists, and poultry producers on 3 continents to meet their soil health related needs. He is a nationally recognized leader in the application of AI in agricultural research, serving on advisory boards for two national laboratories. He leads a diverse team of researchers and the newly planted Long Term Agricultural Research and Extension Vineyard at the Washington State University Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser WA.

USDA Agricultural Research Service, Washington

Karen Ross was appointed Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture on January 9, 2019, by Governor Gavin Newsom. In re-appointing Secretary Ross, Governor Newsom cited her unmatched leadership experience in agricultural issues nationally, internationally, and here in California, in areas including environmental stewardship, climate change adaptation, and trade. Secretary Ross was initially appointed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in 2011.

Before joining CDFA, Secretary Ross was chief of staff for U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a position she accepted in 2009. Prior to that appointment, she served as President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers from 1996- 2009, and as Vice-President of the Agricultural Council of California from 1989-1996. Her prior experience before moving to California included staff work for a United States Senator, a presidential candidate, and government relations for rural electric cooperatives and public power districts.

Secretary Ross is passionate about fostering the reconnection of consumers to the land and the people who produce their food, and to improving the access of all California citizens to healthy, nutritious California-grown agricultural products, celebrated for their diversity and abundance in serving local, national and global markets.

During Secretary Ross’ tenure, the Department has focused on core functions to protect and promote California agriculture, investing in the Department’s employees to provide the best service to farmers, ranchers and consumers and fostering an agricultural industry that embraces its role as a global leader on everything from the most technical aspects of farming to the broadest environmental imperatives.

Secretary Ross has strengthened partnerships across government, academia and the non- profit sector in the drive to maintain and improve environmental stewardship and to develop adaptation strategies for the specific impacts of climate change. She has initiated programs to provide greater opportunities for farmers and ranchers to engage in sustainable environmental stewardship practices through water conservation, energy efficiency, nutrient management, and ecosystem services; and she has worked to provide greater access to farm-fresh foods at school cafeterias through CDFA’s Farm to Fork Program.

Secretary Ross grew up as a 4-H kid on a farm in western Nebraska. She owns 800 acres of the family farm where her recently retired younger brother, a fourth-generation farmer, is mentoring a new, beginning farmer in growing no-till wheat and feed grains, incorporating cover crops and rotational grazing for beef production. The Secretary has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is a graduate of the Nebraska Ag Leadership Program. She has served on numerous boards and committees in California agriculture and with various academic institutions.

California Department of Food and Agriculture

Emily Saladino is a journalist and recipe developer based in New York. Previously the Culinary Editor at Food Network, Editor in Chief of VinePair, and Managing Editor of Wine Enthusiast, she currently works as a Writer at Large for Wine Enthusiast. She reviews wines from Georgia, Greece, and Hungary for Wine Enthusiast, and contributes to The Washington Post, Food and Wine, Bon Appetit, BBC, and many others. She also tests and develops recipes for cookbooks and brands. A graduate of French Culinary Institute, she is a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier and Circle of Wine Writers.

Wine Enthusiast, New York

Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy group representing over 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses responsible for 80 percent of the nation’s wine production and 95 percent of U.S. wine exports. Wine Institute is the largest advocacy and public policy association for California wine, and the only group representing the industry at the state, federal and international levels.

Tim Schmelzer began his Wine Institute career in 2008. He has been Vice President of California State Relations since 2016 after having previously served as Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs.

Tim’s early years at Wine Institute focused on environmental and labor policy, but he has since expanded into the alcohol beverage control and taxation policy arenas. In recent years, Tim and his Sacramento team have also been heavily engaged in recycling, health & safety and wildfire policy issues. Earlier in his career, Schmelzer served as the Manager of State Legislative Policy for Southern California Edison, and the Legislative Director for the California Energy Commission. In total, he has over 30 years of experience working with California State Government.

Schmelzer is a California native and resides in Sacramento with his wife Karen and three children. He graduated cum laude from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa with degrees in Politics and International Relations.

Wine Institute, California

Julie Schreiber is a consulting winemaker who focuses her work in Napa, Sonoma, and the Livermore Valley. Her repertoire includes supervising the making of superior wines from picking and production to bottling, including Cabernet sauvignon, Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot noir. Her wines have won award ratings of 90 points and higher.

As a consulting winemaker, recent and current clients include Kenwood Vineyards, The Tri-Valley Conservancy, Plata Wine Partners, Terroir Napa Valley, Valley of the Moon, and Yao Family Wines. Julie has worked as Interim Winemaker at Valley of the Moon and Dry Creek Vineyard, Assistant Winemaker for Flowers Vineyard and Winery, Associate Winemaker for Sterling, and Assistant Winemaker for Gallo of Sonoma.

Julie’s passion for food and wine started at an early age. She pursued a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Travel Administration at the University of Massachusetts, and then completed professional culinary training at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. She worked 14 years as a professional chef at some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Boulevard and One Market. Julie decided to take her passion for wine to the next level, returned to school and completed her master’s degree in Enology at the University of California, Davis. She has gained valuable experience working at several wineries in Napa and Sonoma, in addition to a stint in Australia.

Julie’s culinary background and impeccable palate give her valuable insight and a unique edge into winemaking. This, combined with her passion for wine, raises the level of what she makes, and compliments her professional expertise. Julie carries her love of food and wine into other related arenas, including being a mushroom aficionado. She is the lead chef for culinary events and demos at mushroom forays for David Arora, Relish Culinary Adventures, the Sonoma County Mycological Association (SOMA), the Mycological Society of San Francisco (MSSF) and the North American Mycological Association (NAMA). She is a business partner in Mycoventures, a company that organizes local and international mushroom forays and former Sonoma County Mycological Association (SOMA) board member. She is responsible for organizing events, helps lead forays and teaches people how to cook cultivated and wild mushrooms.

In addition to her work in food, wine, and mushrooms, Julie dedicates a lot of time to volunteering with various organizations that include charter membership in Les Dames d’Escoffier of Sonoma (LDEI), acting as round table chair of the Winemaking forum for Wine Women, and as committee chair for the Culinary Committee of NAMA).

Chez Julie S, California

Reed Showalter is the Managing Director of alliantgrop’s Pacific Northwest Region and a member of both the AICPA and the California Society of CPAs. He has more than 20 years of experience in accounting, tax and business consulting and was part of the senior team for several large regional accounting firms that advised clients on various tax issues.

Born and raised in central Nebraska as a farmer, Reed is passionate about helping the agriculture and food processing industries. As alliantgroup’s National Practice Leader for Agriculture, Reed has helped numerous companies in the agriculture industry.

alliantgroup, California

Gustavo Sotelo is the Director of Winemaking for Scribe Winery in Sonoma, California. During his 8-year tenure at Scribe, Sotelo has worked on expanding the winemaking program, improving quality, brand development, and developing innovative wine styles and bottling formats for all brands under his purview.

Sotelo joined the wine industry in 2010 after an initial career in New York with a focus in Finance and Business Development. Originally from Mexico City, Sotelo has worked at Treasury Wine Estates – USA, Mumm Napa, and White Rock Vineyards.

Sotelo obtained a degree from the University of California, Davis Viticulture & Enology program. Upon graduating Sotelo followed his interest in Iberian wine and travelled to Spain to work at the prestigious Bodegas Mauro in the Ribera del Duero. Upon his return to California, Sotelo joined the Scribe. production team as their first Assistant Winemaker. Within a few short years, Sotelo took over the helm of the wine program and transformed it into one of the most innovative one’s in California.

In 2019, Sotelo and his wife founded their own project Orixe Sotelo, focused on Spanish grape varieties grown in California. Sotelo’s goal is to provide more diversity to California wines and import Spanish varieties non-existent in California.

Scribe Winery, California

Mireia was born and raised in Catalunya, in the northeastern part of Spain. Her interest in wine started at a very young age. Growing up in Spain, wine is considered a food and was part of almost every meal. Mireia knew from a young age that she wanted to learn more about wine.

Mireia graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Barcelona, and then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Enology at the University of Rovira and Virgili. When she was in her last year of studies, she came to California as an intern for a harvest season, which is where she met her wife, Tara Gomez. When that harvest finished, Mireia went back to Spain. In 2008, she accepted a harvest position at Castell d’Encus, a start-up winery in the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain. She quickly earned a winemaker position and worked there until 2014. While working at Castell d’Encus, Mireia went back to school to earn her Masters in Enology, Viticulture, and Marketing of Wine. Meanwhile her relationship with Tara grew and they traveled the world and visited all the wine regions together. In 2014, Mireia moved to California and began working as a wine broker and wine consultant.

In 2017, she started Camins 2 Dreams, a new adventure with her wife, Tara Gomez, making hand-crafted, terroir-driven wines that are fermented with natural yeast and use minimal intervention in the winery, and sourcing from organic, biodynamic and regenerative farmed vineyards that share the same values of respect for the land and their workers.

Mireia serves on the board of directors for the Sta Rita Hills Wine Alliance since 2019.

Camins 2 Dreams, California

Dr. Oliver Trapp is the grapevine breeder at the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), the Federal Research Center for Cultivated Plants in Germany. He studied biology with a focus on molecular biology at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and received his PhD in 2013 in the group of Prof. Holger Puchta. Since 2016, he works as grapevine breeder at the Institute for Grapevine Breeding at the JKI and since 2021 he is Deputy Head of the Institute. His work focuses on breeding new grapevine varieties adapted to climate change with high levels of resistance against grapevine pathogens and high wine quality.

Julius Kühn-Institut Federal Research Center for Cultivated Plants, Germany

John Trinidad is a co-managing partner of Dickenson Peatman & Fogarty, and is a partner in the firm’s Wine Law, Business, Alcohol Beverage, and Geographical Indications practice groups. John advises wine and alcohol beverage industry clients on a broad range of legal issues, including business formation, obtaining alcohol beverage licenses, and the drafting of key contracts, such as grape purchase agreements, vineyard leases, and distribution contracts, and the purchase and sale of winery brands and assets. John also advises clients on federal and state alcohol beverage regulations such as franchise laws, tied-house laws, labeling requirements, and the protection and promotion of American Viticultural Areas.

John is a graduate of Harvard College and the New York University School of Law. In 2017-2018, John has led wine law classes the University of California Davis School of Law and Napa Valley College. He is currently a lecturer at the University of California Berkeley School of Law where he co-teaches a wine law class.

John is an avid photographer, and his pictures of vineyards, wineries, and producers were published in a book on the history of the Champagne region, But First, Champagne.

Dickenson Peatman & Fogarty P.C., California

As Vice President of Global Winemaking and Sourcing at WX Brands, Linda Trotta oversees a nine-member winemaking team, positioned globally and in California, collectively sourcing grapes and wine from 14 countries to produce over 3 million cases annually.

In her 38-year wine industry career, Linda has made wine in Napa and Sonoma, as well as in Washington state, Chile, and South Africa; and has forged a path as an inspiring and impactful leader. Her introduction to wine came at a young age, making wine in her grandparents’ garage and sipping at the dinner table. Upon earning her degree in Fermentation Science from UC Davis, Linda’s path took her through the winery cellar, lab and vineyards to positions of increasing winemaking responsibility. Along that path she leaves a trail of superb wines of balance, substance and distinction. Being named the North Bay Business Journal’s 2018 Napa Valley Winemaker of the Year is just one of the many accolades Linda has received over her career.

With a deep sense of gratitude for the mentoring and support she has received over the years; Linda believes very strongly in paying it forward. The industry organizations with which she has held leadership positions include Women for WineSense, Wine Women, and the Washington Wine Technical Group. She currently serves on the board of directors for the start-up business BarrelWise.

And the journey continues.

WX Brands, California

Nicole Walsh, Director of Winemaking, WarRoom Cellars
Owner, Winemaker of Ser Winery

Winemaking, grower relations and vineyard management with 25 years’ experience including California, New Zealand and Michigan. Most notably worked closely with Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyard of Santa Cruz, CA for 20 years. B.S. Horticulture with emphasis in Viticulture & Enology from Michigan State University.

WarRoom Cellars, California

A Napa Valley native whose father is also a winemaker, Nate grew up with wine on the table and a drawer full of t‐shirts emblazoned with winery logos. His first job after graduating with honors from UC Santa Barbara with a BS in Biopsychology was as a “cellar rat” at Groth Vineyards & Winery. “I loved that first harvest, so I packed my bags, dropped my application for UC Davis in the mail and went off to Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand to work another.” After earning an MS in Viticulture and Enology from UCD, he was hired as cellar master at Etude, and then spent two years as assistant winemaker for Patz & Hall Wine Company. In 2008 Nate was hired by Marchese Piero Antinori to be winemaker for Antica Napa Valley. He earned an Executive MBA in Wine Business from Sonoma State University in 2014.

Nate joined Silver Oak & Twomey as Silver Oak Winemaker in 2014, was promoted to Director of Winemaking in 2017, and then Vice President of Winegrowing in 2019. His responsibilities center around leading the team that handles all aspects of farming, grower relations, and winemaking for Silver Oak, Twomey, OVID, and Timeless Napa Valley.

Silver Oak Cellars, California

Will joined the wine trade in 1993 and has never left!

With experience in retail, international logistics, sales and brand development, Will’s career has always been a learning curve. A fluent Spanish speaker and a certified WSET Educator, Will was first introduced to the idea of NOLO wines in 2004 by the team at Conetech, whilst they were looking to establish a European hub. Having consulted on the initial prototype blends for Freixenet 0.0% in 2018, Will was convinced that the opportunity to create a premium quality NOLO wine was within reach. Noting the need to moderate his own consumption of alcohol after 25 years in the Wine Trade, Will met David Hodgson at a Trade Tasting in Helsinki and together the seeds of ZENO Prestige alcohol-liberated wines were sown. Following 3 years of extensive R&D, where the Stoic philosophy of: “the Obstacle is the Way” often became reality, the first production of ZENO wines was launched to critical acclaim in December 2022. David and Will continue to push the boundaries of what can be achieved in this dynamic sector of the market, whilst helping the wine-drinker to moderate their alcohol intake without compromise!

Vinolo Ltd., United Kingdom

Jeff Yasui has been with the Risk Management Agency (RMA) since 2012, serving as the Director of the Regional Office that oversees the administration of crop insurance in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. Prior to joining RMA, he served as the Farm Program Chief for the Farm Service Agency in California for several years. Jeff’s family farmed in San Joaquin County, and he is a graduate of UC Davis.

USDA Risk Management Agency, California

Jasmine Yook is a brand and content marketer whose experience lies in brand storytelling. She’s worked the last 10 years growing brand-love for companies like Amazon (Fashion & Alexa), Nike, and now Hashflow, a decentralized crypto exchange platform, through content, social, and experiences. Her approach to content and social marketing encompasses balance between data, creative, and customer insights, which has propelled her to create one-of-a-kind campaigns for the top companies in the world. For example, her work at Amazon Fashion includes launching the brand’s first record-breaking TikTok Hashtag Challenge and first viral items shop and at Nike, where she concepted the brand’s first plus-size women’s campaign. She also has a penchant for wine as she received her WSET III pass with merit. Jasmine resides on the East Coast with her dog Louie.

Hashflow, New York